Replaceable Heel System

ABSTRACT

A Replaceable Heel System comprised of a stub attached to the lower surface rearward portion of the sole of a shoe, a plurality of replaceable heels of various heights, sizes and colors, end caps configured to attach to the stub or the heels and a coupling assembly configured to removably couple the stub and the replaceable heels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a Replaceable Heel System and moreparticularly pertains to providing a system for removably coupling aheel to a sole of a high heel shoe and for changing the heel on the soleof the high heel shoe at the discretion of the wearer as a function of awearer's comfort and style preference. The changing being performed in aquick, convenient and economical manner.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of changeable heels for shoes is known in the prior art. Morespecifically, changeable heels previously devised and utilized for thepurpose of changing the heel height and style of a shoe are known toconsist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structuralconfigurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by thecrowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment ofcountless objectives and requirements.

By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,320 to Goldenberg et al.discloses a shoe with exchangeable heel. U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,730 toRodriguez Colon discloses a low heel to high heel shoe and vice versawith an adjustable shank. U.S. Pat. No. 7,185,448 to Schupbach disclosesa shoe with interchangeable heel members. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No.6,700,835 to Militello discloses a shoe and replaceable heel.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives andrequirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a replaceableheel system that allows for removably coupling a heel to a sole of ahigh heel shoe and for changing the heel on the sole of the high heelshoe at the discretion of the wearer as a function of a wearer's comfortand style preference. The removably coupling and changing beingperformed in a quick, convenient and economical manner.

In this respect, the Replaceable Heel System according to the presentinvention substantially departs from the conventional concepts anddesigns of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatusprimarily developed for the purpose of removably coupling a heel to asole of a high heel shoe and for changing the heel on the sole of thehigh heel shoe at the discretion of the wearer as a function of awearer's comfort and style preference. The removably coupling andchanging being performed in a quick, convenient and economical manner.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need fora new and improved Replaceable Heel System which can be used forremovably coupling a heel to a sole of a high heel shoe and for changingthe heel on the sole of the high heel shoe at the discretion of thewearer as a function of a wearer's comfort and style preference. Theremovably coupling and changing being performed in a quick, convenientand economical manner. In this regard, the present inventionsubstantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofchangeable heel systems now present in the prior art, the presentinvention provides an improved Replaceable Heel System. As such, thegeneral purpose of the present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improvedReplaceable Heel System and method which has all the advantages of theprior art and none of the disadvantages.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a solehaving an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface has aforward portion positionable on ground and a rearward portion spaced afirst distance above ground. A stub is attached to the lower surfacerearward portion of the sole. The stub has an upper end and a lower endseparate by a first length of between 25 percent and 90 percent of thefirst distance. The stub has an exterior surface with a planar frontface in the form of a truncated triangle. A replaceable heel is providedhaving an interior and an exterior surface. The replaceable heel ishollow with a second length, longer than the first length of the stub.The interior of the replaceable heel is of a size and shapecorresponding to the exterior surface of the stub. A coupling assemblyremovably couples the stub and the replaceable heel. A heel cap isattached to the bottom of the heel.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not beregarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved Replaceable Heel System which has all of the advantages of theprior art changeable heel systems and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved Replaceable Heel System which may be easily and efficientlymanufactured and marketed.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved Replaceable Heel System which is of durable and reliableconstructions.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a newand improved Replaceable Heel System which has a coupling mechanism ofdurable and reliable constructions providing a safe and simple means ofcoupling the replaceable heel to the shoe.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved Replaceable Heel System which is susceptible of a low cost ofmanufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and whichaccordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consumingpublic, thereby making such Replaceable Heel System economicallyavailable to the buying public.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide aReplaceable Heel System for removably coupling a heel to a sole of ahigh heel shoe and for changing the heel on the sole of the high heelshoe at the discretion of the wearer as a function of a wearer's comfortand style preference without the need for special tools. The changingbeing performed in a quick, convenient and economical manner.

A feature of the present invention is to provide a replaceable heelsystem allowing for the replacement of the heel caps by the wearer as afunction of style or in the event of damage caused by normal wear.

Another feature of the system is to provide a heel stub which with theaddition of a heel cap can be worn without a heel attached.

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved replaceable heel system in which the wearer can safely andeasily exchange heels of different heights, styles or colors without theneed for special tools.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantagesand the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be hadto the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there isillustrated the preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a replaceable heel system constructed inaccordance with the principals of the current invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a replaceable heel system taken along line2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 view of areplaceable heel system constructed in accordance with the principals ofthe current invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of a replaceable heel systemconstructed in accordance with the principals of the current invention.

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded front view of a portion of the systemtaken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded side view of a portion of a replaceableheel system.

FIG. 7 is an alternate embodiment of a replaceable heel having apermanently attached heel cap.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout thevarious Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through6 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved ReplaceableHeel System embodying the principles and concepts of the presentinvention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will bedescribed.

The present invention, the Replaceable Heel System 10 is comprised of aplurality of components. Such components in their broadest contextinclude a stub attached to the lower surface rearward portion of thesole of a shoe, a plurality of replaceable heels of various heights,sizes and colors, end caps configured to attach to the stub or the heelsand a coupling assembly configured to removably couple the stub and thereplaceable heels. Such components are individually configured andcorrelated with respect to each other so as to attain the desiredobjective.

The preferred embodiment is a replaceable heel system 10 for a high heelshoe. The system is adapted for removably coupling a heel 12, 14, 58 toa sole 16 of a high heel shoe and for changing the heel on the sole ofthe high heel shoe as a function of a wearer's comfort and stylepreference. The system comprising, in combination, a sole having a frontend 20 forwardly and a rear end 22 rearwardly separated by a length, aninterior edge and an exterior edge separated by a width. The sole has aperiphery encompassing the front end and rear end and interior edge andexterior edge and an upper surface 28 and a lower surface 30. The uppersurface is adapted to receive a foot of a wearer. The lower surface hasa forward portion 32 positionable on a ground surface and a rearwardportion 34 spaced above the ground by a first height equal to a firstdistance of between 1 and 4 inches. Next provided is an upper 38 havinga lower peripheral opening 40 and an upper peripheral opening 42. Thelower peripheral opening is attached to the periphery of the sole and isadapted to accommodate a foot of a wearer when the putting on and takingoff the shoe. A stub 46 is attached to the lower surface of the sole andhas an upper end 48 and a lower end 50 separated by a length of between25 percent and 90 percent of the first distance. The stub has anexterior surface with a planar front face 52 in the form of a truncatedtriangle.

A plurality of replaceable heels 12, 14, 58 are provided, eachreplaceable heel configured with an interior 60 and an exterior 62. Eachreplaceable heel is hollow forming an interior chamber. The interior ofeach replaceable heel being of a size and shape corresponds to theexterior surface of the stub. Each replaceable heel has a top 64 and abottom 66 separated by a second height of a second distance less thanthe first distance. Each replaceable heel has an upwardly extendingchamber located at the bottom of the heel.

Next provided is a cap 70 formed with an upwardly extending projection72 positionable in the chamber at the bottom of an associatedreplaceable heel. The cap has a downwardly extending component 74adapted to provide an appearance of an extension of the associatedreplaceable heel. The downwardly extending component has a third heightof a third distance. The first distance being the sum of the seconddistance and the third distance.

Lastly provided is a coupling assembly between the stub and eachreplaceable heel. The coupling assembly including a cavity 78 in arectangular configuration formed in the planar front face of the stub.The coupling assembly includes an outer aperture 80 in a rectangularconfiguration formed through the planar front face of each replaceableheel. The coupling assembly also includes a button 82 with a leaf spring84. The leaf spring extends upwardly from the button resilientlycoupling the button to the interior surface of the stub. The button hasa left edge and a parallel right edge, a top edge and a parallel bottomedge. The button is movable between an extended locking orientation anda depressed unlocked orientation. The button is in the locking positionwhen with the button spring is urged outwardly extending the buttonthrough the outer aperture of the replaceable heel. The interiorunlocking orientation is achieved by a wearer pushing the button intothe cavity of the stub interiorly of the outer aperture of the heel.

In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the replaceable heel isformed with a lower surface adapted to receive a cap wherein the cap isformed as a flat piece permanently attached to the heel.

Shoes are an important part of most women's wardrobes. Balancing styleand comfort has often caused women to carry additional shoes or sufferfrom discomfort or frustration from shoes that do not meet theirchanging fashion and comfort needs during the course of the day orduring travel. The replaceable heel system of the current invention willallow the wearer of the shoes to change the style of the shoe to adaptto various situations to which the wearer is exposed quickly and withoutthe need for special tools. For example, when travelling, the wearercould carry one pair of shoes with replaceable heels of various, heightsand styles to adapt to the different environments encountered such asairports, business meetings, and entertainment. Heels of differentcolors could be used to coordinate with daily outfits. The replaceableheel system allows the wearer to wear one base shoe and carry multiple,easily changeable heels that fit easily into smaller spaces such aspurses, handbags or carry on cases. The replaceable heel system of thecurrent invention also allows for the replacement of the heel cap forstyle or as the result of damage caused by wear.

As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, thesame should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, nofurther discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will beprovided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1. A replaceable heel system comprising: a sole having an upper surfaceand a lower surface, the lower surface having a forward portionpositionable on ground, the lower surface having a rearward portionspaced a first distance above ground; a stub coupled to the lowersurface, at the rearward portion of the sole, the stub having an upperend and a lower end separate by a first length of between 25 percent and90 percent of the first distance, the stub having an exterior surfacewith a planar front face. a replaceable heel having an interior and anexterior, the replaceable heel being hollow with a second length, theinterior of the replaceable heel being of a size and shape correspondingto the exterior surface of the stub; and a coupling assembly between thestub and the replaceable heel.
 2. The system as set forth in claim 1wherein the coupling assembly includes a cavity in a rectangularconfiguration formed in the planar front face of the stub, the couplingassembly including an outer aperture in a rectangular configurationformed through the planar front face of each replaceable heel, thecoupling assembly also including a button with a leaf spring, the leafspring extending upwardly from the button resiliently coupling thebutton to the planar front face of the stub adjacent to the cavity, thebutton being rectangular and movable between an extended lockingorientation and a depressed unlocked orientation, the extended lockingorientation being with the button spring urged outwardly extending thebutton to exterior of the outer aperture, the interior unlockingorientation being achieved by a wearer pushing the button into thecavity of the stub interiorly of the outer aperture of the heel.
 3. Thesystem as set forth in claim 2 wherein the heel has an upper latitudinallength measured at an area of contact with the sole, and wherein thesecond length is a vertical longitudinal length measured at a centralaxis of the heel, and wherein the second length is 110 percent to 350percent of the first length of the stub.
 4. The system as set forth inclaim 3, wherein the heel has an upwardly extending chamber formed atthe bottom and further including a cap formed with an upwardly extendingprojection positionable in the upwardly extending chamber at the bottomof an associated replaceable heel, the cap having a downwardly extendingcomponent adapted to provide an appearance of an extension of theassociated replaceable heel, the downwardly extending component having athird height of a third distance, the first distance being the sum ofthe second length and the third distance.
 5. The system as set forth inclaim 2, wherein the stub has an upwardly extending chamber at thebottom and further including a cap formed with an upwardly extendingprojection positionable in the upwardly extending chamber at the bottomof the stub, the cap having a downwardly extending component adapted toprovide an appearance of an extension of the stub.
 6. The system as setforth in claim 3, wherein the heel includes a cap, the cap having adownwardly extending component adapted to provide an appearance of anextension of the associated replaceable heel, the downwardly extendingcomponent having a third height of a third distance, the first distancebeing the sum of the second length and the third distance.
 7. Areplaceable heel system 10 for a high heel shoe, the system adapted forremovably coupling a heel 14 to a sole 16 of a high heel shoe and forchanging the heel on the sole of the high heel shoe as a function of awearer's comfort and style preference, the system comprising, incombination: the sole having a front end 20 forwardly and a rear end 22rearwardly separated by a length, the sole having an interior edge andan exterior edge separated by a width, the sole having a peripheryencompassing the front end and rear end and interior edge and exterioredge, the sole having an upper surface 28 and a lower surface 30, theupper surface adapted to receive a foot of a wearer, the lower surfacehaving a forward portion 32 positionable on a ground surface, the lowersurface having a rearward portion 34 spaced above the ground by a firstheight equal to a first distance of between 1 and 4 inches; an upper 38having a lower peripheral opening 40 and an upper peripheral opening 42,the lower peripheral opening attached to the periphery of the sole, theupper peripheral opening adapted to accommodate a foot of a wearer whenthe putting on and taking off the high heel shoe; a stub 46 attached tothe lower surface of the sole at the rearward surface, the stub havingan upper end 48 and a lower end 50 separate by a length of between 25percent and 90 of the first distance, the stub having an exteriorsurface with a planar front face 52; a plurality of replaceable heels12, 14, 58, each replaceable heel having an interior 60 and an exterior62, the interior of each replaceable heel being hollow and forming achamber, the interior of each replaceable heel being of a size and shapecorresponding to the exterior surface of the stub, each replaceable heelhaving a top 64 and a bottom 66 separated by a second height of a seconddistance less than the first distance; a cap 70 positionable at thebottom of an associated replaceable heel, the cap having a downwardlyextending component 74 adapted to provide an appearance of an extensionof the associated replaceable heel, the downwardly extending componenthaving a third height of a third distance, the first distance being thesum of the second distance and the third distance; and a couplingassembly between the stub and each replaceable heel, the couplingassembly including a cavity 78 in a rectangular configuration formed inthe planar front face of the stub, the coupling assembly including anouter aperture 80 in a rectangular configuration formed through theplanar front face of each replaceable heel, the coupling assembly alsoincluding a button 82 with a leaf spring 84, the leaf spring 84extending upwardly from the button resiliently coupling the button tothe planar front face of the stub, the button having a top edge and aparallel bottom edge, the button having a left edge and a parallel rightedge, the button being movable between an extended locking orientationand a depressed unlocked orientation, the extended locking orientationbeing with the button spring urged outwardly extending the button toexterior of the outer aperture, the interior unlocking orientation beingachieved by a wearer pushing the button into the cavity of the stubinteriorly of the outer aperture of the heel.
 8. The system of claim 7wherein the replaceable heel has an upwardly extending chamber locatedat the bottom of the heel and the cap 70 formed with an upwardlyextending projection 72 positionable in the upwardly extending chamberat the bottom of the associated replaceable heel, the cap having adownwardly extending component 74 adapted to provide an appearance of anextension of the associated replaceable heel, the downwardly extendingcomponent having a third height of a third distance, the first distancebeing the sum of the second distance and the third distance.